Dual Credit

Dual-credit programming presents opportunities for K–12 learners to explore the world of post-secondary education at Lethbridge College.

Overview

Dual-credit learning has many benefits for both K–12 and post-secondary institutions. Dual-credit offerings allow grade 10, 11, and 12 students to earn high school credits while learning in a post-secondary environment. These learning opportunities contribute to increased learner retention and high school completion rates and increased participation of young adults in post-secondary programs.

Lethbridge College has offered dual-credit options for several years. Recently, a collaboration with Zone 6 school divisions—including eight school divisions across Southern Alberta—has created an opportunity for Lethbridge College to re-envision administration, support, development, and delivery of dual-credit programming on a broader scale.

Winter 2021 Dual Credit Student Home Communities

Timeline

Read through the timeline by clicking on each point.

The Government of Alberta funded several dual-credit pilot projects throughout the province of Alberta. Individual school authorities and post-secondary institutions also negotiated non–government funded dual-credit articulation agreements.

The Government of Alberta developed and implemented the Provincial Dual Credit Strategy, which saw the implementation of 51 dual-credit partnerships across the province between 2013 and 2016.

Lethbridge College delivered dual-credit offerings in numerous areas, such as Early Childhood Education, Unit Clerk, and Automotive Service Technician. These offerings were arranged through agreements between Lethbridge College and individual schools or school division partners

Led by the Centre for Technology, Engineering and Design, Lethbridge College began to work with the following Zone 6 school divisions as a unit: Palliser, Westwind, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge Public, Holy Spirit, Livingstone Range, Prairie Rose, and Wildrose. Agreements for dual-credit delivery were signed by all divisions.

The Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation, the Centre for Technology, Environment and Design, and Zone 6 school division representatives collaborated to identify and select dual-credit courses, prepare communications, and develop internal administrative systems for coordinating a new system of dual-credit delivery.

An initial group of 14 students across several school divisions completed dual-credit courses with Lethbridge College.

Feedback on initial offerings revealed the benefit of blended and online dual-credit course deliveries. In preparation for the Winter 2021 term, a focus on individual course offerings for dual credit was adopted.

A total of 74 Zone 6 students are enrolled in Winter term dual-credit courses.
Expansion of course offerings to include courses from the Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences.

Further engagement with Zone 6 on dual-credit offerings and refinement of internal processes and systems in anticipation of further increases in enrolment for the 2022/23 academic year.
Expansion to include courses from the Centre for Justice and Human Services and the Centre for Health and Wellness.
Further exploration of other opportunities, such as exploratory programming for grade 7–9 students with Zone 6.

Anticipated increase in dual-credit intake over the Fall 2021 intake.

Deliverables

A scalable system including processes and tools to support
- identification and selection of dual credit offerings
- application, registration, and communication processes
- orientation for students, parents, instructors, and school division staff
- enhanced supports for faculty and off-campus teachers
- collection and reporting of feedback from dual-credit stakeholders

Alignments

CTLI Strategic Innovation Model

Connecting Our Communities

Increase leadership capacity within post-secondary teaching and learning networks both provincially and nationally

People, Culture, and Human Potential

Design and deliver tools, resources, and experiences that lead to learner success

Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Develop systems, processes, and resources that will position Lethbridge College as a leader in experiential learning and flexible delivery

Glossary

Dual-credit programming: Programming authorized and funded by Alberta Education in which grade 10, 11, and 12 students can earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, including a journeyperson certificate

Engagement

We believe that meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential to any good initiative. Below is a list of stakeholders engaged in this initiative. (Classification based on CTLI engagement framework and IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum)

Inform

Our promise: We will keep you informed about the project and decisions that are made.

Consult

Our promise: We will consult with you to ensure your viewpoint is heard and considered when making decisions. We will communicate how this input and feedback influenced the decisions made.

Lethbridge College Deans’ Council

Involve

Our promise: We will work directly with you to ensure your viewpoints and concerns are reflected in the decisions made.

Lethbridge College staff and faculty, including the following:

Learning Café
Career and Academic Advising
Marketing and Communications
Finance
Digital Learning Team
Educational Development team

Collaborate

Our promise: We will partner directly with you throughout the project and decision making process. We will create joint solutions or recommendations.

Registrar’s Office

Empower

Our promise: We will abide by the decisions you make.

LC academic centres
Zone 6 school divisions
Terry Kowalchuk, Dean, CTED
Joelle Reynolds, Alternate Learning Models lead, CTLI
Brianne Hutchinson, Instructional Designer, CTLI

References

Government of Alberta. (2021). Alberta dual credit framework [PDF file]. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/3ac5bbc4-aa64-4b8c-9f30-1ac37d26f38d/resource/0b031226-1991-4499-9ac4-2bc5959bfd14/download/edc-alberta-dual-credit-framework-2021-03.pdf

IN: Dual Credit